[June 9, 2026] That was me standing in a line of about seven other young teenage boys about to participate in the broad jump at Cooper High School in 1968. It would be my first track meet for all of us on the JV team.
I would be in five events for this first track meet, but it was the jump that made me love the sport. I was about to experience an unforgettable event worthy of remembering.
The 1968 track season ran from March through May, just before the weather started getting too hot, and Abilene, Texas (which sits on the edge of humidity) was fortunately and pleasantly dry that day.
Like so many of my teammates, we were more interested in the girls than our performance or weather, and it showed. That was to be expected for boys coming of age.
My broad jump distance, now called the long jump, was just under 20 feet and nowhere close to a record but pretty good for the time. Our head coach also put me in for the 220 and 440 yard run, shocking me because I’d never run this distance before, and I was embarrassed in the event.
There was this cutie red head who was watching us from the bleachers. I smiled. She smiled back. This is the kind of event that makes the hard workouts worthwhile.
Our track team was UIL 4A state competitive and so we were popular; not me but the seniors were like rock stars. I was hanging onto their coattails. But hey, I was there.
Sometimes participation itself has value. Better to be in the arena and lose than to have never tried at all. And that has been part of my personal philosophy of life. There may be a payoff; fame, glory, money, or just the smile of a girl.
I never knew her name. But I was in the arena.
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Photo: The day Edward Tanner won the broad jump cup; the Old Shirburnia Society.
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Like others have written but I want to jump in here (pun intended), I too am taken back to my high school days and being part of our school’s track team. Good times. Learned discipline (mostly the hard way). I too was never great, but at least I was there. Oh, and never had a girlfriend that I found watching us. ha ha
Gen. Satterfield, me too. As a high school track kid in the 1970s, your broad jump story hit home hard. Those JV meets in dusty fields built real grit and taught us to show up ready. I ran the long jump and sprints too, chasing personal bests while eyeing the girls in the stands. Embarrassing wipeouts in the 440 taught more than wins ever did. Participation forged character that stuck for life. Loved the dry Texas heat vibe—reminds me of my own spring seasons. Thanks for sharing the arena lesson; it’s timeless. We were all just boys chasing glory and smiles. Keep the leadership wisdom coming, sir.
Nick, thanks for relating your track days—great memories. Glad the grit lesson resonates. Appreciate the kind words, keep sharing!
Keep the teams’ heads up and positive. Builds character. Tests character. Those without those will fade away. 👍
Sir, thanks for bringing back to us the memories of track and field competition while in High School. Many boys went thru this meat grinder, working out after school, and then working a part time job to earn a place of some small status with other boys (and maybe picked up a girlfriend along the way). I know it hleped me see what my limitations were and to also value hard effort with some specific goals along the way like lettering in a particular sport. I think most of the men reading your article today can appreciate the leadership you started to pick up from being part of your High School broad jump 😁 team. Have a wonderful day all, and if you want to learn more about how Gen. Satterfield “sees” the world, then I do recommend his book ‘55 Rules for a Good Life.’ 🤠
Excellent article on leadership ideas drawn from real-world experience. Your insights on stoicism and embracing discomfort resonate deeply with veterans and professionals alike. The emphasis on punctuality and personal responsibility stands out as timeless wisdom. This piece inspires action in an era of complacency. Keep sharing these valuable lessons.
Ah, I remember those days.
We should all remember them. ;-))